How do you think we differ morally today compared to the Victorians?
Historians now regard the Victorian era as a time of many contradictions, such as the widespread cultivation of an outward appearance of dignity and restraint together with the prevalence of social phenomena such as prostitution and child labour. A plethora of social movements arose from attempts to improve the prevailing harsh living conditions for many under a rigid class system.
Victorian prudery sometimes went so far as to deem it improper to say “leg” in mixed company; instead, the preferred euphemism “limb” was used. Such ideas even pervaded seemingly unrelated aspects of daily life: there is a myth, started by Frances Trollope’s “Domestic Manners of the Americans,” and later applied to the British, that furniture such as tables were covered with embroidery and tablecloths so that table legs were hidden from view, but no historical evidence suggest that this was actually practiced. Those going for a swim in the sea at the beach would use a bathing machine. However, historians Peter Gay and Michael Mason both point out that we often confuse Victorian etiquette for a lack of knowledge. For example, despite the use of the bathing machine, it was still possible to see people bathing nude. Another example of the gap between common preconceptions of Victorian sexuality and historical record is that, contrary to what might be expected, Queen Victoria liked to draw and collect male nude figure drawings and even gave one to her husband as a present.
Observing members:
0
Composing members:
0
12 Answers
The Victorian English treated overseas subjects of the empire pretty much as we treat farm animals today. We do somewhat better.
We’re more open about our sins. The Victorians did the exact same pervy things, but covered it all up with a veneer of respectability and relentless do-goodism.
Well, we don’t edit the sex out of mythology and Shakespeare anymore.
The Victorian era carried a lot more shame and guilt, made Freud a fortune, but no less debauchery. lol
@Coloma…. YOU ALWAYS LEAVE ME WITH NOTHING MORE TO SAY CUZ YOU SAID IT ALL ALREADY!!!
@Dutchess_III IT’S LIKE WHISPER SHOUTING. CRAZY!
My mind hath been blown.
Well, I guess we still think big boobs are everything, but now at least we don’t have ’‘pass out quarters’’ when obligatory corsets made women faint. :/ It’s a bit of an improvement that, even if a bad idea remains, it’s no longer put into action. But I don’t know that the replacement is much of any better, like what some 12 year old girls wear today.
The Victorians ruled over the largest empire the world had ever seen and yet allowed one million people to die of famine on their own doorstep. I don’t think we would allow such a thing to happen today.
“Crossing the shallow holdings high above sea
Where few birds nest, the luckless foot may pass
From the bright safety of experience
Into the terror of the hungry grass.”
From ‘The Hungry Grass’
By Donagh MacDonagh (1912 – 1968)
Ya I would say that in the Victorian age, much of what we do now that is immoral, they did as well. However, they just did it in a much more discreet fashion because it was seen as in a much more negative light. There were still the deviants, they were just better at hiding it because of the consequences that faced them!
Answer this question 
Composing members:
0
